Buena Mano Book 1 (Unedited/Unrevised)

I'm O-Ok... Chapter 4.1 Seeds

It spooked me a bit but I noticed something was on top of the closed lid of the toilet. I went in the cubicle, even if fear overtook my senses; my curiosity seemed to peak my emotions.

It was wrapped in white cloth tied with a rope in a ribbon. Strange that this was the only thing left here. I picked it up; it wasn't as heavy as it appeared to be. I poked it with my fingers to check what is inside but I only felt the cloth that covered it. The man must have left it here for some reason.

The cubicle door creaked and I heard a soft and eerie whisper. I turned around hesitantly but prepared to see the man I was speaking with. But all I saw was the reflection of me in the mirror. I discarded the thought of him being still here and continued to contemplate if I should open this package of sorts or not.

I turned the wrapped object around and a folded note fell from underneath it. By now, I wanted to just go out and forget about what had happened. But there was something, some mysterious force beckoned me to that note. As if it was screaming to me, begging me to open it.

I picked it up with my other hand and trembled at the touch of it. I turned it around and someone behind me said while I read my own name written on it. I held my breath in fear.

"Lucy" it called me again. This time I was shivering in fright of what is in store for me if I looked back. A hand touched my shoulders from behind and I screamed at the top of my lungs. I lost all sense of reason and fell to my knees. I mustered up the courage to look behind me but it wasn't what I expected to see.

"Calm down. Ok? What were you doing here?" Jenna said as she was picking me up from the floor. Her face showing the deepest concern which I have abhorred since the day we've first met. I got up and the feeling of fear went away.

"This stall was closed even before I was a freshman here." She said. True, she was three years older than me. Jenna is a smart girl by my standards but had to repeat her senior year because of failing grades. I got curious at some point and asked her. She just said she didn't have much time for school back then.

"I was taking a pee and then I thought I heard something coming from here. I took a peek and just when I was going to push it the doors gave out. Turns out it was termites." I said. She wouldn't have believed me even if I told her the truth. And if I did, she might discover what I was really doing here.

"What's in your hand?" she asked me. I forgot that the package and the note the man left was still in my hands. Got to think of something fast.

"It's a gift. F-for my mom." I said as I walked away towards my bag inside the cubicle I was doing my things. My back was turned as I put the wrapped thing inside my bag.

"Oh Ok then, as long as you're alright. Hmm.." she said.

I turned around and noticed Jenna just getting up. She seemed to have picked up something. At that time I didn't care, my mind was so messed up I just wanted to go home or do something to get my mind off things.

"Jenna, you were saying that there's a party of sorts?"

"Yes, a graduation party. Well, it's tomorrow and it's the day before our graduation. So I know you have plans or.."

"I would very much like to come and I'm sorry for earlier." I said. In order to diffuse the rumors about me I could use her as a shield.

"Aww. It's alright friend." Jenna said as she hugged me from behind.

"Well what do you know... She may have some use after all." I grinned at that thought as I held her hands in response. Not knowing that man was watching. He was always watching.

"So where is the party?"

"You'll love it" she said as we parted ways. She looked gleeful as always. Skipping in the school halls like a child. It almost made me puke. I hate her so much. But upon thinking she would be a fodder for my own purposes, it excited me.

"Whydo I hate her?" I thought for a moment but dismissed it at the same time.